181682017-09-16Miniaturization of Airborne Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy Instrument, Phase ICompletedJun 2014Dec 2014New measurement technologies are required to support science campaigns to better quantify rapid changes in the Earth atmosphere system. A key factor in this heightened focus on risk and uncertainty is the growing recognition that the climate is changing far more rapidly than was thought just five years ago. Aurora Flight Sciences and Harvard University propose to miniaturize the Harvard Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy (ICOS) instrument for use in the unique reel-down payload pod of the "StratoCruiser", a proposed propulsive high-altitude balloon gondola. Combining the persistence of balloon platforms, the vertical measurements of soundings, and the mobility of aircraft the StratoCruiser will enable new understanding of stratospheric phenomenon. The focus of the proposed effort will be to enhance the StratoCruiser reel-down payload capability through size, weight, and/or power (SWaP) reduction in the dual laser, 50 cm cell, ICOS instrument. The soundings from the StratoCruiser ICOS-based observing system provide laboratory quality, in situ detection of radicals, isotopes, ozone, reactive intermediates, long-lived tracers and condensed and vapor phase H2O and HDO over the US for a period of 4-6 weeks.Potential NASA Commercial Applications: Aurora Flight Sciences and Harvard University have proposed the Airborne Stratospheric Climate Coupled Convective Catalytic Chemistry Experiment North America (ASC5ENA) mission to the NASA Earth Venture initiative. The ICOS instrument and the reel-down facility on the StratoCruiser are both centric to this study and represent the first path of commercialization for the proposed work. The ICOS instrument is broadly useful. The instruments versatility to detect a variety of compounds means it is useful for a large variety of climate studies but size is a limiting factor that drives up mission cost. The proposed SBIR effort will ensure the instrument is compatible with a variety of platforms including the WB-57, ER-2 but will also extend the instrument to smaller unmanned platforms. Expanding the ICOS suitability for other smaller platforms through SWaP reduction will enable lower-cost observation campaigns for a variety of scientific goals moving forward.77332468Science Instruments, Observatories, and Sensor Systems33018.3In-Situ Instruments and Sensors38288.3.3In-Situ (other)SBIR/STTRSpace Technology Mission DirectorateAmes Research CenterARCNASA CenterMoffett FieldCAAurora Flight Sciences CorporationIndustryManassasVACaliforniaMassachusettsVirginiaTherese GriebelCarlos TorrezJames R PodolskeJustin Mcclellan5168Project ImageImageMiniaturization of Airborne Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy Instrument Project Image4403https://techport.nasa.gov/file/4403139288